For me, disabling safari was the only way I was going to have a chance at some separation from my phone. After deleting all my social media accounts, I spent the equivalent amount of time browsing online.
At the end of the day I never had the courage to have someone else block safari & app store with a passcode for me, so after much struggle I jumped over to a flip phone.
Ah what, this is awesome. Dumbphones/Launchers intrigue me but seemed like an investment. My biggest issue is right in the morning when I wake up, and I didn't want to get a separate alarm clock yet. I just set this up and I'll try to make it a routine to turn it on before bed! Hope it works!
I have an aunt with fast-progressing Alzheimer’s. She’d been able to use an iPhone (did not need its features, but she’s wealthy and the prestige was enough).
The iPhone was dangerous because scams, but it was a perfectly good phone (and really hard to explain to somebody with cognitive decline why they need to let go of or change anything like cars/driving, phones, houses), but her decline was also happening rapidly enough that she couldn’t remember how to use it for *the* forgotten/essential function - calling!
This would have been a game-changer and I suspect it will be, but I never even knew this was an option.
She used a jitterbug for a minute but is in memory care now.
I tried dumbing down my iphone with greyscale and a launcher with limited apps available but it hasn't lasted long... the ability to swipe down and search to open any app brings the whole thing crashing down. It's amazing how quickly you can establish a habit when you find a new way to access the digital brain drugs. Now that I've gotten used to opening the online versions of apps I deleted like youtube through safari I'm right back where I started.
Assistive access looked promising until I realised how easy it was to disable. My experience with the dumb launcher sounds similar to what you found with this, the friction slowed me down at first but once the floodgates are opened the facade quickly washes away.
I really need to commit to fully locking down apps like safari but I'm always scared of getting stuck in a situation where I need to look something up or access something with a QR code. The eternal struggle of the dumbphone journey...
Decided to look into assistive access anyway and have discovered that you set a new password for exiting that mode, I thought it would have to be the same as your normal passcode! Getting a friend to set this might be the way for me, I'll report back
"It's amazing how quickly you can establish a habit when you find a new way to access the digital brain drugs" -- so real. I would work so hard to scroll on my dumbed-down iPhone. Like, I didn't have data or internet at home... but I got the WiFi password to every small business in my neighborhood so I could STAND IN FRONT OF THEM AND LOOK AT MY PHONE.
still, keeping the password with a trusted friend is serious friction! looking forward to hearing how it goes.
Thank you! This is so helpful! I’m taking a sabbatical and want to cut down on my screen time but still have access to maps and camera, so this is perfect! 🤩
picking up my iphone after exclusively using my flip phone for a few weeks and then getting sucked into scrolling again actually disgusts me. Like I'll realize what just happened and then I'll shout at it and hurl it across the room
This is great, I think it’s a practical alternative to a complete dumb phone for most people as you said. My husband and I tried it for the first time this week and it was mostly great! Thanks for sharing this article, I’m sure loads of people will benefit!
For me, disabling safari was the only way I was going to have a chance at some separation from my phone. After deleting all my social media accounts, I spent the equivalent amount of time browsing online.
This still seems like a good way: https://mehretbiruk.com/2021/05/10/smartphone-to-dumb-phone/
At the end of the day I never had the courage to have someone else block safari & app store with a passcode for me, so after much struggle I jumped over to a flip phone.
yes, safari is my kryptonite! thank you for this link, it looks like a great way to go.
Ah what, this is awesome. Dumbphones/Launchers intrigue me but seemed like an investment. My biggest issue is right in the morning when I wake up, and I didn't want to get a separate alarm clock yet. I just set this up and I'll try to make it a routine to turn it on before bed! Hope it works!
ooh, yes -- before sleeping and after waking up were always the times I felt most vulnerable to scrolling. good luck!
I also use a phone jail when I can. Lock that shit up physically because yeah the digital tools aren’t good enough most of the time
I have an aunt with fast-progressing Alzheimer’s. She’d been able to use an iPhone (did not need its features, but she’s wealthy and the prestige was enough).
The iPhone was dangerous because scams, but it was a perfectly good phone (and really hard to explain to somebody with cognitive decline why they need to let go of or change anything like cars/driving, phones, houses), but her decline was also happening rapidly enough that she couldn’t remember how to use it for *the* forgotten/essential function - calling!
This would have been a game-changer and I suspect it will be, but I never even knew this was an option.
She used a jitterbug for a minute but is in memory care now.
thank you for sharing this -- the most important reason for Assistive Access mode!
I tried dumbing down my iphone with greyscale and a launcher with limited apps available but it hasn't lasted long... the ability to swipe down and search to open any app brings the whole thing crashing down. It's amazing how quickly you can establish a habit when you find a new way to access the digital brain drugs. Now that I've gotten used to opening the online versions of apps I deleted like youtube through safari I'm right back where I started.
Assistive access looked promising until I realised how easy it was to disable. My experience with the dumb launcher sounds similar to what you found with this, the friction slowed me down at first but once the floodgates are opened the facade quickly washes away.
I really need to commit to fully locking down apps like safari but I'm always scared of getting stuck in a situation where I need to look something up or access something with a QR code. The eternal struggle of the dumbphone journey...
Decided to look into assistive access anyway and have discovered that you set a new password for exiting that mode, I thought it would have to be the same as your normal passcode! Getting a friend to set this might be the way for me, I'll report back
"It's amazing how quickly you can establish a habit when you find a new way to access the digital brain drugs" -- so real. I would work so hard to scroll on my dumbed-down iPhone. Like, I didn't have data or internet at home... but I got the WiFi password to every small business in my neighborhood so I could STAND IN FRONT OF THEM AND LOOK AT MY PHONE.
still, keeping the password with a trusted friend is serious friction! looking forward to hearing how it goes.
Thank you! This is so helpful! I’m taking a sabbatical and want to cut down on my screen time but still have access to maps and camera, so this is perfect! 🤩
I wish you didn’t tell us how to get out of that mode 😂 although it would’ve only been one desperate google search away anyway
picking up my iphone after exclusively using my flip phone for a few weeks and then getting sucked into scrolling again actually disgusts me. Like I'll realize what just happened and then I'll shout at it and hurl it across the room
hell yes
This is great, I think it’s a practical alternative to a complete dumb phone for most people as you said. My husband and I tried it for the first time this week and it was mostly great! Thanks for sharing this article, I’m sure loads of people will benefit!
super helpful! thank you :)
Would love to try it tho!!